The chapters of Rodney Freeman's library career have encountered some plot-like twists and turns. He was named branch manager of the Indianapolis Public Library's 4180 N. College Avenue location on June 1, 2014.

Being a librarian was not initially a novel idea for him: "This was not my first career option. I was trying to go to law school. It started back in 2008 when I was studying for the LSAT. I'm originally from Chicago and was working at the Kankakee Public Library where they had a position. I had a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration. I became a page there and started shelving books and was later asked by the person in the summer reading program to plan some activities for kids, like technology programs. Once I started doing that, the director spoke with me and asked me about a career as a librarian. I applied to IUPUI and got accepted, but still kept the Kankakee job while commuting. (He earned a master's degree in library science). Once I got to Indianapolis, I got a job at the Lawrence Public Library and worked there for two years part-time. I needed a full-time position and also worked at the Indiana State Library 20 hours a week. It gave me some more responsibility where I helped with interlibrary loans and digital products. I later got hired at the Johnson County Public Library in Franklin working in electronic resources, a position which I enjoyed. After that, I accepted a job at the St. Louis Public Library as a branch manager. The opportunity came available to return to Indianapolis (where my wife is from) to the Spades Park Library Branch, where I worked from 2012 until June 1, 2014," he explained.

As libraries compete with various media in the 21st century, their roles are evolving with information technology. "As I've thought about going forward in the future, I would like to do more programming for teens, like showing them how video games work and let them play them at the same time. I would also have more STEM focus programming, such as having a small business resource center where people can come in and look for information on how to start a business and possibly get funding from small business owners in providing workshops," Freeman mentioned.

He is also utilizing technology in other areas. "The African American History Committee has a Meet the Artist program where local African American artists can display their artwork, which has been popular the last couple of years. Artist works are displayed from January to March at the downtown library branch," he said. In one of his current projects, Freeman has been busy digitizing select library publications from the African American History Committee archives to preserve them for future generations. "Even though I like electronic publications, I find myself always going back to reading periodicals. Library Services is expanding to information science. Colleges have programs where they can track a person's course experiences," he added.

The College Avenue Library has a monthly, free job center seminar for adults on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An E-book Tinker Station is where patrons can try out library equipment or bring their own for one-on-one help in accessing library books, magazines and music from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on August 30. These are just a few of the services Indianapolis Public Libraries provide the local community. Future events are listed at: www.imcpl.org/events/calendar.php?action=search and www.facebook.com/CollegeAvenue.

Diane Palguta is a public service associate at the College Avenue branch who works with Freeman. "I basically work on the reference desk and that includes everything from answering questions, helping people on the computer, picking up lost and found items and whatever else needs doing. I've worked seven years at this branch. The (Broad Ripple) Gazette is always well received by patrons at our library branch," she noted.

College Avenue branch hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. Periodical inquiries and other information can be answered by calling 275-4320.

According to: www.imcpl.org/locations/college, "The Broadway Branch Library first opened on June 1, 1924 in a frame house at 615 E. 42nd Street. The 'library in a house' had limited shelf space for books and furniture. In spite of these limitations, 10,000 people used the library regularly and borrowed more than 100,000 books each year. The small library continued to fill its collection and increase in popularity and a new 6,500 square foot building opened in October of 1958 at 4186 Broadway Street. The Broadway Branch celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 1, 1974 and served patrons from October of 1958 to August of 2000. On August 17, 2000, the $2.674 million dollar College Avenue Branch opened, replacing the aging and overcrowded Broadway branch. The new 16,000 square foot facility houses 62,000 items and offers plenty of off-street parking, an enlarged meeting room and improved access for patrons with physical disabilities."

Freeman reflected, "The most rewarding aspect about being a librarian is providing services where people walk away happy when we can provide a program and they say, 'I'm really glad that you have this program.' For that person to have that information is a great thing. What attracted me to this job is that you can be so creative. In the public library system, there are a lot of different personalities and different needs. Here, you can create different programs. In any of the jobs I've been in, I was using those skills as a manager and outside there, I do project backup, where we show people how to digitize and preserve their family history. The skills that you use as a librarian, you can use to benefit entire communities."

Rodney Freeman is currently writing the next chapter of his career as Indianapolis Public Library branch manager at 4180 N. College Avenue. He and his staff utilize technology by bringing information to the local community with a human touch, which is something well worth checking out.